Current Month Chapter Meeting

Our August meeting is on August 24, 2026 and is in Boerne at Herff Farm, 33 Herff Road, Boerne

Luminous Landscapes: Fireflies in the Heart of Texas

This highly educational and fun talk will discuss the types of fireflies (Lampyridae) found in Texas and across the US. Join Ben for a captivating exploration of Texas’ enchanting fireflies, where you’ll discover the diverse species that light up the Lone Star State’s wild landscapes. Ben will present his research on Texas firefly taxa, highlighting the fascinating species found in nearby river basins and riparian areas. He will show you how to identify common firefly species and learn their flash patterns so you can recognize them in the wild.

You’ll also discover why fireflies flash and how they use light to attract mates. Additionally, he will discuss specific threats that are causing fireflies to disappear in many areas of the United States. Ben will also explain how to certify your property as a firefly habitat, suggest native plants you can grow to help them, and share other ways you can contribute to saving these iconic insects.

Speaker: Ben Pfeiffer, Founder of Firefly Conservation & Research

Ben is the founder of Firefly Conservation & Research at Firefly.org, a firefly conservation and educational organization working to conserve fireflies and their habitats through conservation, education, and research efforts. Ben is a recognized public speaker and science educator whose research work focuses on Texas and North American firefly species. He is working to document the Texas and Southwest firefly diversity and its natural history regarding their life cycle, preferred habitat, and unique flash patterns. His research is helping to illuminate much of this never-before-collected information about Texas’s incredibly rich firefly diversity so that others can work to preserve and enjoy it.

He is a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Firefly Working Group. He frequently works with groups like Xerces, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Master Naturalists, The Nature Conservancy, land trusts, state and local commissions, private landowners, and others.

Ben studied Biology at Texas State University and is a certified Master Naturalist. He is a lifelong 6th-generation Texan and has spent most of his life working to understand Texas ecology and its unique diversity.

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See here for information on past and upcoming Chapter AT.

Monthly Meetings

The Texas Master Naturalist, Hill Country Chapter meets monthly in-person and online via Zoom.  Chapter Meetings are Open to the Public and held on the fourth Monday of each month from 6:30p-8:00p. There is no charge to attend. Location of the meetings vary – see the various meeting places on this page.   

Each meeting opens with a social hour where light refreshments are served, followed by a short business meeting and a 1-hour Advanced Training session.

  • 6:00p Social Hour
  • 6:30p Chapter Business Meeting
  • 7:00p Main Presentation